Cute Ways Your Pets Actually Take Care Of You

Help Teach Children Responsibility

Responsibility for pets can be shared with the children in the home to help teach kids responsibility. For example, children can help with feeding or grooming duties on a schedule. They can also help clean up after the pets and if old enough, can join you while you take them for a walk. Not only does having pets encourage responsible behavior in children, but pet ownership can also promote better cognitive, emotional and physical functioning. Children that play with their pets are less likely to suffer from obesity, less likely to develop allergies and asthma, and pets can even help improve children’s concentration and motivation in school. Children experiencing frustration and upset and can gain comfort through a pet. Interacting with pets also helps children identify and learn about empathy.

Keeps You Fit, Mentally And Physically

Having pets, especially a dog, can help get you up off the couch and outside for fresh air and exercise. Pet ownership tends to promote a healthier and more active lifestyle. Taking the family dog for long walks or runs and playing fetch are all cardio activities that boost your heart rate and strengthen your muscles and bones. The vitamin D from the sun is essential for healthy bones as vitamin D encourages absorption of calcium. Vitamin D also helps ward off depression and disease. The fresh air you feel and breathe outside can give you a burst of positive energy, and being outside in nature helps boost your overall sense of well-being and wards of negative and obsessive thoughts that tend to lead to depression.